Foster child Angela Richards, 15 of Harrison, wants to make sure foster families displaced by Hurricane Katrina are taken care of this Christmas.
To that end, Richards donated $300 – mostly of her own money – to a “Katrina fund” during a holiday party last Sunday at SMART Family Services on Route 115 in North Windham. The relief fund was created by the National Foster Parent Association.
In addition to raising money from teachers and co-workers, Richards donated two of her own paychecks from Bridgton Health Care where she is a nurse assistant.
“I know how they felt when they had to get up and move again,” Richards said of the hurricane survivors. “I know how it feels to move and not know if you are going to have supper or even eat that night.”
The money will go to help foster families re-establish themselves in the aftermath of Katrina. That means food, clothing, shelter. The foster parent association is also gathering volunteers to travel to the affected regions and help to rebuild. For Christmas, the association is donating gifts to 8,000 foster families affected by the hurricane.
Richards found out about the “Katrina fund” through Joyce Pringle, treasurer of the association, who spoke out about the need for Katrina relief aid during SMART’s 10th anniversary celebration in September.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful that a foster child has come forth to help out other foster families,” Pringle said. “It means what we are doing is right. These kids are learning what they need to learn.”
Jo Bradeen, assistant executive director of SMART family services, is also proud of Richards and touched by her generosity.
“I am impressed that she not only heard, but acted on it,” Bradeen said. “I think it’s a good example and good inspiration for the rest of us. We are very proud of her as we are all our kids.”
Richards said she enjoys helping others and plans to go to college to become a social worker.
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